Naruto: Shippuden is a rollercoaster, with epic battles alongside copious amounts of filler. Across its 22 seasons, the series follows everything from Naruto’s growth as a shinobi to the massive stakes of the Fourth Great Ninja War. However, not every season reaches the same heights.
Some Shippuden arcs deliver unforgettable fights and emotional payoffs, while others slow things down with filler that can test even dedicated fans. There are plenty of uneven stretches, but despite that, Naruto: Shippuden has enough highs to outweigh its weaker moments.
19. Naruto Fights Alongside the Six-Tails' Jinchuriki in Season 7
Naruto Shippuden has quite a few filler seasons, and Season 7 is yet another anime-original arc. It follows Naruto as he teams up with Utakata to destroy a Forbidden Jutsu and protect Hotaru. The arc also introduces the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, and for viewers who can't get enough of Naruto's best characters, there's a lot to like here.
Utakata’s relationship with Hotaru adds an emotional layer to the arc, and the season expands on Jinchuriki lore, but once again, the storyline has little impact on the larger plot or Naruto’s journey toward mastering the Nine-Tails. The villains also feel less memorable than the series’ main threats, and the Forbidden Jutsu storyline never reaches the same intensity as the canon conflicts.
18. Naruto Faces the Three-Tails and Protects Yukimaru in Season 5
Season 5 of Naruto: Shippuden is another mostly anime-original arc, centering on Naruto and the Leaf ninjas as they try to stop the Three-Tails and help Yukimaru. One of the season’s strengths is its focus on characters like Guren and Yukimaru, who both go through emotional journeys tied to trust and loss.
The Three-Tails storyline has the potential to be a major part of the series, but because the arc is largely non-canon, it doesn’t carry the same weight as the manga-based storylines. On top of this, the pacing can drag, but the Three-Tails does lead to some great battles, even though the arc puts the brakes on more important events.
17. Shippuden Season 19 Gives the Chunin Exams Another Go
Season 19 takes fans back to the Chūnin Exams, offering a nostalgic look at the period between Part I and Shippuden. This anime-original arc follows the Rookie 9, minus Naruto and Shikamaru, along with Team Guy as they take another shot at becoming Chūnin. It’s a fun throwback, but like Shippuden's other non-canon storylines, it lacks emotional stakes.
Its placement in the middle of the Fourth Great Ninja War also creates pacing issues. Still, the season has strong animation and provides some welcome lighthearted moments. The Chūnin Exams also deliver fun, character-focused fights and some of Naruto: Shippuden's best displays of power.
16. Naruto: Shippuden Takes an Early Detour in Season 3
Season 3 of Shippuden is contentious among fans because it’s another anime-only arc, making it one of several detours from the main story. The season focuses on Naruto protecting the monk Sora and defeating Team Furido, but it doesn’t move the larger plot forward. That said, the arc offers solid character development for Sora, whose struggles draw clear parallels to Naruto’s own experiences.
The season explores Sora’s anger and eventual redemption, all themes that Naruto frequently returns to. Fans also get to see more of Asuma in action, which gives his later death even more emotional weight. However, the arc’s non-canon nature still holds it back, and villains like Furido don’t measure up to the series’ strongest antagonists.
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